Giants Rip Oilers, Tie Dallas For 1st

December 9, 1985|By United Press International

HOUSTON — The New York Giants got their back-to-back visits to Texas off on the right foot Sunday with a 35-14 victory over Houston. Next Sunday they challenge Dallas, the perennial kings of the Lone Star State.

Joe Morris rushed for three touchdowns en route to becoming the second player in the Giants' history to go over 1,000 yards, and Phil Simms threw two scoring passes to send New York (9-5) into a first-place tie with Dallas in the NFC East.

Morris, who entered the game with 925 yards, went over the 100-yard mark for the fifth time this season with 129 yards on 25 carries. Ron Johnson bettered the 1,000-yard for the Giants in 1970 and 1972.

Simms completed 13 of 24 passes for 234 yards with one interception.

''I think we played a good game today,'' said Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, who recovered a fumble that led to a score. ''That's all I'm concerned about. As far as Dallas goes, that will take care of itself next week. Hopefully, we'll do what it takes to succeed.''

Houston (5-9) lost for the fourth time in its last five games. Warren Moon, playing for the first time since Nov. 17, completed 26 of 47 passes for 330 yards, two interceptions, two touchdowns, and was sacked three times.

''We went into the game thinking we could throw the ball,'' said Houston Coach Hugh Campbell, whose team ran only seven times for 22 yards. ''Of course, had we not been behind, we wouldn't have thrown so much.''

Morris rushed for 97 yards on 18 carries and scored three times in the first half as New York scored on its first two possessons before building a 35-14 lead.